More Information

SAN ANTONIO — Fireworks likely won't be restricted in unincorporated Bexar County over the New Year's holiday, the fire marshal told commissioners in a Tuesday court session.

“We've been fortunate this year,” Craig Roberts said. “We're out of the extreme conditions and things have improved significantly.”

A “severe” drought crippled 99 percent of the state in 2011; now, only 20 percent of the state is under those conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

This year, San Antonio has had 31.5 inches of rain, about a half-inch less than normal rainfall for the entire year.

Roberts said that precipitation, however, has produced vegetation that could feed wildfires. To prepare, extra firefighters will be on hand throughout the county.

“We're concerned about the high grass,” he said, “and if something does happen, we've got to be very vigilant and get on it very quickly.”

Although fireworks remain illegal inside of San Antonio's city limits, they may be sold in the county, where stand inspections will begin soon.

In other business:

After a lengthy presentation on the Westpointe Public Improvement District, the officials unanimously passed a motion to support landowner Hugo Gutierrez Jr.'s PID in the future.

Gutierrez's master-planned community will encompass 3,400 acres near West Military Drive and Loop 1604 and take about 30 years to build out. Eventually, it will include 7,000 single-family homes; 13,300 multifamily apartments and 481 acres of commercial property that the county expects will have a value of $3.5 billion.

Under the proposed PID, property owners in the defined district will pay an assessment of 56 cents per $100 of valuation along with their county taxes.

Some of the funds will help Gutierrez stomach spending $299 million on road construction beyond what's required, and a portion of proceeds will pay for future infrastructure needs and public safety services.

In exchange, Gutierrez has agreed to donate three acres of land for a new area fire station and 4 acres for the county's first permanent substation.

“Having a visible presence of law enforcement across our country, I believe, will demonstrate to those who live in the unincorporated areas that we're serious about providing for their public safety,” Sheriff Susan Pamerleau said.

Officials also approved dates for the joint primary and run-off elections, which will be held March 4 and May 27, respectively.